Falcon Air Express (6F, Miami Int'l) has filed for bankruptcy just days after it returned its Part 121 Air Operators Certificate (AOC) to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to The Ledger news site, the move came just days after the carrier lost a lucrative contract with US Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System - JPATS (JUD, Oklahoma City Will Rogers World) with at least one of its seven MD-83s having been repossessed while at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Florida.

Falcon Air Express, according to The Ledger, has also been embroiled in various lawsuits with ex-employees claiming breach of contract, violation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, and sexual harassment, among other complaints.

In addition, the carrier's president, Nelson Ramiz Sr, has also blamed protracted divorce proceedings with his ex-wife for compromising his ability to run a safe, compliant airline.

Ramiz bought a then-bankrupt Falcon Air Express for USD3 million in 2007. Following restructuring, the carrier returned to the ACMI/charter market with a fleet of seven MD-83s. Aside from its JPATS contract, it also operated for the United States Department of Homeland Security (RPN, Corpus Christi).

In recent months, it had opened discussions with the operator of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport over the possibility of commencing scheduled services there later this year.